I have been a homeschooling (unschooling) mom for over a decade and for the majority of the first seven years of that time, I was the sole income generator for my family. This was due to being in an unhealthy relationship with the father of my children who was unemployed by choice, and then being a single mom and solo mom.
My foray into mompreneurship, side gigs, and creative income hacks was driven largely by my desire to homeschool my children against all odds. People said it was impossible and that I shouldn't even try, but tell me I can't do something and that is exactly what I will do.
After meeting my now husband, the pressure was not on me in the same way to generate income as it had been in the past; however, retaining my sense of independence was incredibly important to me. I wanted to contribute, to feel like I was creating something I could feel proud of, and to set a good example for my kids. I never stopped making my own money.
Other homeschooling moms and single moms often ask me for ideas on how they too can generate income. I love brainstorming and helping other women find their path to their dream life.
My number one piece of advice for budding mompreneurs is to always follow your passions, but the following list should get you started if you don't know where to begin. I've tried at least half of these at one point or another, and have known moms in all the other fields.
My 15 Top Ideas for Side Gigs and Clever Income Hacks for Mompreneurs:
1. Virtual Assistance: Harnessing Your Organizational Superpowers
This one is for all you Type A organized momprenuers out there. Leverage your organizational skills by offering virtual assistance services. Many entrepreneurs and small businesses are in need of help with tasks like email management, calendar scheduling, and social media coordination. As a virtual assistant, you can contribute your expertise while staying in control of your own schedule.
Virtual assistance allows you to work during nap times or while the kids are engrossed in play. With a reliable internet connection, you can become the secret weapon for businesses seeking efficient support without the overhead of in-house staff.
Megan Johnson of Love Family Health has an awesome VA Ninja Course. She focuses mostly on how to make money as a Pinterest VA, but many of her concepts can be applied to virtual assistance in general.
2. Artistic Ventures: DIY Crafts and Handmade Wonders
Calling all artists! Did you know that you can actually make money crafting and selling handmade goods? Whether it's personalized baby blankets, custom-made jewelry, goat milk soap, or hand-knit scarves, platforms like Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers offer a marketplace for your artistic creations. Turn your passion into profit while indulging in the joy of creating something unique. You can also get a booth at a local farmers market if you prefer to sell in person. As an added bonus, bring your kids along so they can learn about entrepreneurship alongside you.
Build a personal brand around your handmade products. Share the story behind each creation, infusing a personal touch that resonates with customers. In a world filled with mass-produced items, your handcrafted treasures stand out as unique and meaningful.
3. Freelance Opportunities: Monetize Your Skills
If you possess skills in writing, graphic design, social media management, or any other marketable talent, freelancing is your ticket to income generation. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect you with clients seeking your expertise.
As a freelancer, you're the boss. Set your prices based on the value you provide, and establish clear terms for your services. Freelancing not only allows you to earn on your terms but also opens doors to networking and expanding your skill set.
Even if you start small, as you grow your freelancing business and get more client reviews, you will be able to raise your prices, making more money for your services over time. This worked out very well for me when I was a freelance copywriter. Additionally, as my business grew, I was able to pick and choose my jobs and only take the ones that really interested me.
4. E-commerce Empowerment: Selling Online
Join the booming world of e-commerce by selling products online. Platforms like Amazon, eBay, or even creating your own website can be channels to market your products. Whether it's a line of handmade goods, a drop-shipping business, or an online shop of carefully curated niche products, e-commerce provides a vast playground for mompreneurs.
You'll need to understand the basics of online selling, from product listings to customer service. If you don't already possess these skills, have no fear! This can all be learned via online courses or YouTube videos in your chosen area.
Embrace digital marketing strategies to ensure your products are seen by potential customers. With determination and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit, you can thrive in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
5. Online Tutoring: Share your Knowledge
If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider becoming an online tutor. Platforms like Chegg Tutors or Wyzant connect you with students seeking assistance. This not only allows you to contribute to education but also provides a flexible income stream. You can generally teach on any subject you are an expert in. Many sites require that you have a certain number of college-level credits in your subject.
Online tutoring offers the flexibility to choose your hours, making it a perfect fit for moms with varying schedules. Whether it's math, language arts, or music, there's a demand for knowledgeable tutors in various fields.
6. Social Media Management: Marketing for Small Businesses
In the vibrant world of social media, being a social media manager is not just a title; it's a lifestyle! As a Social Media Manager, your mission is to sprinkle a bit of magic on the digital canvas.
You'll orchestrate tweets, posts, and stories that light up timelines. Your expertise lies in crafting content that doesn't just engage but enchants. Create funnels for your clients, clever captions, eye-catching visuals, or trending hashtags.
This is perfect for moms who already love social media and spend a lot of time on various platforms. If you have proven expertise in generating sales on a specific platform, make sure to market that. You can find clients through your own social media, your personal webiste, or sites like Fiverr and Upwork.
7. Parenting Coach: Helping Others Navigate Parenthood with Wisdom and Empathy
Coaching in general is a great option for mompreneurs with a specific skill set. Being a parenting coach is a natural choice for many moms, especially those with older kids who feel they have seen it all. You can choose to focus on a type of parenting like Positive Discipline or an area that parents often struggle with like sleep training or creating routines.
Your mission will be to guide fellow parents through the labyrinth of parenthood with wisdom and empathy. As a coach you differ from a therapist or consultant in that you help your clients discover their own action steps to move forward and progress through challenges whereas therapists focus on the past and consultants offer directives.
Your virtual coaching sessions can become a safe harbor for parents seeking guidance. Remember to rely on your intuition, empathy, and honesty to help clients navigate the ups and downs of parenting.
8. Pet Sitting: Caring for Fur Babies
Must love dogs (or cats)! Pet sitting is an excellent choice for animal-loving mompreneurs who want to make some extra money while dedicating themselves to other pursuits. You can list your services and set your prices on apps like Rover or Wag. This is yet another of those side gigs that relies on a trust cloud. The reviews definitely make or break you. I was once the top listed dog sitter in Austin, TX on Rover because I had all 5-star reviews. Be sure to always follow up with clients, send pictures and updates, and offer extras when you can.
You can either pet sit in your home (boarding) or in the client's home (pet/house sitting). A friend of mine also offered dog walking and drop-in visits. Just pick which option works best for your life and build up that profile!
My kids loved when we boarded dogs in our house. I paid them each a little bit of my earnings to help feed and walk our furry clients. My daughter still talks about her favorite dog we watched, Lola, a little gray lapdog who loved being groomed and wearing fun outfits.
9. Remote Language Translation and Interpretation: Bridging the Language Gap
If you are fluent in two (or more languages), this might be the option for you! There are a variety of companies that offer positions for over-the-phone translators with varying degrees of flexibility. Some allow contractors to log in and work when they are available, and others offer set schedules. The former can be great for moms who have less predictable schedules or who want to work for a few hours here and there when the kids are sleeping.
Translation services differ from interpretation services because they are written services. These side gigs be found through online connection sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Some translations, such and medical and legal, may require additional training and certifications.
10. Goods Reseller: Using Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to your Advantage
In my broke days, this was one I knew I could always use to pick up a few bucks when I needed it. I would get cheap (or free) stuff off Craigslist and turn around and sell it for a profit. Most of the time, the margins were not great, but sometimes they were.
This requires a time investment to find the products that people are trying to get rid of, but the benefit is that you could literally stop reading this article and get started right now with no money!
11. Wholesale Real Estate: Connect Distressed Sellers and End Buyers
Wholesaling properties is a very creative way to enter the world of real estate investing with no money of your own. As a wholesaler, you connect distressed sellers with investors, navigating the intricacies of the real estate market.
For those who are interested, I highly recommend checking out the Bigger Pockets community, podcast, and books. You'll learn how to negotiate deals, and create win-win situations for all parties involved. Wholesaling can be a lucrative venture, allowing you to leverage your networking skills and real estate acumen.
There is real growth potential with real estate investing and wholesaling is an excellent way to get your foot in the door.
12. Course Creation: Market your Expertise
Utilize your expertise and passion by venturing into course creation. Package your knowledge into valuable online courses. There is a huge demand for good online courses, and a wide price range for them, often depending on how much live time and direct interaction the teacher gives their students.
A self-paced course with no live calls will generally sit at the lower end of the price range, but the beauty of this option is that it is much more passive. You will still need to make sure the content stays relevant and that you update as necessary, but, overall, it is a great way to generate income for years to come after the initial time investment.
Whether you're skilled in a particular subject, hobby, or profession, explore the process of designing, marketing, and selling courses online. This not only generates income but also positions you as an authority in your field, attracting a community eager to learn from your unique insights and experiences.
13. Membership Site: Build Community
Do you have a unique skill others may want to learn? Are you charismatic and leadership-oriented? Do people look to you for advice? If your answers are yes, then a membership site might be an excellent choice for you.
You can monetize your expertise and community building skills through a membership site. Provide exclusive content, resources, and a supportive environment for your audience. Learn about the tools and strategies to build and maintain a thriving membership community, offering value to your members while generating a consistent income stream. Foster deeper connections with your audience while capitalizing on your expertise.
There are many different platforms for memberships sites that you can choose from. If I were starting a membership site today, I would choose Mighty Networks. They have an easy-to-use interface and a dedicated app that audiences love.
14. Small Business Consulting: Take Small Businesses Up a Notch
Already a successful momprenuer? Share your business acumen and make a meaningful impact by delving into small business consulting. Learn how to offer valuable insights and guidance to small businesses looking to enhance their operations, marketing, or overall strategy.
Take the steps to establish yourself as a consultant, build a client base, and provide tailored solutions to propel small businesses to new heights. Consulting enables you to leverage your skills while contributing to the success of fellow entrepreneurs. It's definitely a win-win.
You can start by offering your services on sites like Fiverr or Upwork, but do not discredit the importance of business-geared networking sites like LinkedIn. You will likely want to build your own website to offer your services and get listed in professional directories.
15. Airbnb Opportunities: Property Manage, Co-Host, or List your Space
I left my favorite for last! Explore the diverse opportunities within the Airbnb ecosystem. Whether it's managing properties for others, co-hosting for busy hosts, or listing your own space, discover the ins and outs of maximizing income through short-term rentals.
There are even people who rent properties to put on Airbnb (with owner approval of course). This makes hosting a lot more accessible to people who do not own properties themselves or do not have the means to do so. I have been a host, a manager, and a co-host, but my first dip into the Airbnb world was through listing properties on Airbnb with landlord permission. I now own my own properties, but I still think this is an excellent way to get started.
Another great way to get involved with this shared economy when you don't have your own money to invest in properties is to offer support services to hosts. Co-hosting and cleaning are the most obvious choices, but you can also create packages like welcome books and baskets. Creating a welcome book is very easy and requires very little skill. All you need to be able to do is use Canva templates, or a service like Hostfully, and compile curated reviews of hot local eateries, grocery stores, top activities, and logistical information.
Welcome to the world of mompreneurship—where innovation, passion, and family come together!
The possibilities are endless.
The key to success lies in finding the balance that works for you and your family. Embrace your unique talents, leverage your skills, follow your passions, and watch as your mompreneurial spirit not only generates income but also creates a life that harmonizes the fulfillment of both personal and professional aspirations.